If you find yourself in Cambria, visit Ephraim Pottery's CA branch. Their stuff is beautiful.

My niece, the just graduated from high school photographer, has gone to Nairobi, Kenya, along with a group from her church. This is her first blog post since arriving and the photos are really great: http://www.sidneymorganblog.com/?p=3553

It happened

Sooooo.....we got out new kitty today. My client, Verna, purchased him about 6 years ago, when she was 87. Now that she's 93, she's worried she isn't giving him the level of care he deserves (she totally was- he is a very spoiled little boy), and she asked if we would take him into our family. It was heartbreaking to carry *Buddy and all of his stuff out of her apartment, but I told her if she missed him too much we will gladly bring him back and that we would be ready to take him in again at any time in the future, but she was adamant- today was the time to do it. He's gorgeous- a ragdoll/persian mix, flame point and brilliant blue eyes. He spent a lot of time in his carrier on our bed, then prowled the room and promptly dove under the bed. The other cats are acting predictably: Samwise snarled at him, and Haku seemed mildly interested in him, but more so with his climbing tree, which he sorta broke right off the bat. I told Tori that Haku and *Buddy would probably form an alliance and kick Sammy's ass off the island, but truth be told Sam is the alpha boy, so they'll probably resort to passive- aggressive hissing and toy-hiding. Anyway, *Buddy is being sequestered for the time being until we can gradually integrate him into the household. Have I mentioned how cute and fuzzy he is?:D

*Tori feels he needs a full name, so his new name is Castiel Beauregard (Buddy) Anderson.

That's wonderful, Wendybeth. New unconditional love in a household is such a great gift.

Circle of life - I said goodbye to my 16-year-old kitty Illuminati this morning. She died on my bed, cradled in my hands. A day ago, she was active and brimming with attitude. Last night, things fell apart very quickly. I'm just glad I got to talk to her on her way out. So, today is going to be really terrible, and some of the days ahead are going to be even worse. But, she was a joyous light in my life. I wouldn't have missed having her for anything.

She is survived by her adoptive Maine Coon brother Tsunami.

TTFM (Ta Ta For Meow)

Everybody's crazy bout a sharp dressed man...

So sorry Flippy. I'm sure Illuminati was lucky to have spent her time with you.

Sad cheese for you Flippy and Illuminati. :(

So sorry for your loss Flippy. When I think of the very best way for a kitty to go though, it would be in their owners loving arms, getting attention and loves.

My cheese cries.

Sorry to hear the news, Flippy. Heather and I haven't had cats for years, but I spent last week catsitting for our next door neighbor. Their supposedly "shy" cats were out and purring for me every visit. It was a nice feeling. Love to you and Tsunami.